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Aikido, Keri-waza deals with a subject which is not commonplace in most aikido dojo's; defensive techniques against kicks. This book aims at providing a basis of training in Keri-waza. Not only an explanation of techniques but also explaining how training can be structured to enable educational, safe and fun practice. Keri-waza will not only broaden the view of any aikidoka upon this great art, but can provide a starting point for the exploration of the exciting world of kicks. Training in these forms teaches aikidoka a new form of flexibility, endurance, limberness, balance, martial sense and movement. The book includes a brief historical overview of martial arts relevant to this field of study, a theoretical and technical introduction into training Keri-waza and includes a detailed explanation (with full-colour photographs) of 42 techniques to Mae-geri (forward kick) and Mawashi-geri (roundhouse kick).
There is a full colour and a more economically priced black and white available. 140 pages including almost 400 foto's.

This book is easy to read and quite accesible. Also the comparison to other martial arts is clarifying. Certainly helpful for somebody like myself who has never worked with kicks. I think it is clearly a supplement to aikido practice and thought provoking. Also the pictures describing the techniques are nice and detailed even though I do not have the illusion that I could learn them from the book without a teacher.

This book is a thought-provoking look at adaptation of core Aikido techniques for use in kick defense.

The book is well written, well laid out and the photography is good. Many techniques are illustrated with sequential photos. The typeset is comfortable, and the printing and paper are of good quality.

Usually, when I review a new Aikido book, it is my sad duty to report that there is not much in the way of new information, but only a new presentation. That is not the case here, because just as kick defenses are not often seen in your neighborhood dojo, books with this much detail about the concept are very much new territory. Is it useful?

A spontaneous reaction to Aikido, Keri-waza , the book by Mark Stokmans

Above all I am surprised in a good way by the aesthetics of the presentation of the book. (Aikido, Keri-waza by Mark Stokmans). Which is in itself an art of presentation. The foto’s do not only express the technique but also give a more poetic dimension to the subject matter.
It is pleasing to read and to look at. The historical information of the martial arts are well measured so that they do not tire at reading.

The technical aspect of keri-waza is not completely ignored by the professionals of the aikido, but it is not a part of everyday practices of our dojos either. This is the reason why I find this book very innovative as a whole. It is evident that the purists of this sport could show a resistance with regard to all novelty and change. Nevertheless I am convinced that it will not take a long time before keri-waza will be an integral part of aikido.

I will say that with full knowledge of the facts since I had the occasion to attend one of the trainings of Mark Stokmans in Utrecht (NL). The kicking techniques which are part of Uke’s work, are effective, but what is especially beautiful is to see the work of Tori in the counter-attack. The research of Mark is based on the latter. It shows the flexibility of the aikido which at any moment can neutralize the attacks of Uke regardless of they are made with the hands or feet. These techniques are so much more interesting because they are based on the basic techniques of the aikido (ikkyo, nikkyo, irimi…) and a lot of other techniques.

Aikido is just like others disciplines which evolved that one accepts or not and resisting its evolution is to go against the philosophy of the aikido since it is based on the opening of the spirit. To conclude I would say that this book can only bring an additional value to the aikido.

Through this text I would want to congratulate Mark Stokmans on his book on Aikido, keri-waza and to all persons that helped with the realisation of this book.